Why Do Mac Windows Reappear When You Relaunch an App?

When you quit an app on a Mac with windows still open, then those windows will usually reappear when you relaunch the app. You can control this by closing the windows first, changing a system setting, or use a modifier key when quitting the app. You also have another option when you log out or shut down your Mac.

Comments: 5 Responses to “Why Do Mac Windows Reappear When You Relaunch an App?”

    Kathy
    1 year ago

    Hi Gary, I notice that when there's a new OS version or update on my iMac that after the installation is complete & I log back into my account that any windows that show a dot under them in the dock will open automatically even though I have selected to "Close Windows when quitting an Application" in system settings-desktop & dock. Is this expected behaviour after an update to Mac OS? Thanks very much.

    1 year ago

    Kathy: The restart dialog checkbox overrides the "quit" setting. See 4:26.

    Kathy
    1 year ago

    Hi Gary, Yes I saw that in your video thank you. But, I have that unchecked as a routine. Sorry I neglected to mention that. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see the restart dialogue box when a system update happens, I just get taken to my login screen. Is that a setting I wonder or does an OS update override the checkbox for the dialogue box? Thanks

    1 year ago

    Kathy: Right, sorry, so the idea is a restart is not really the same as quitting all apps and restarting. And that's what is happening with an update. Keeping in mind the Dock shows apps, not windows, and the dots show which apps are currently running.

    Kathy
    1 year ago

    Thank you Gary!

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